Exercising device



Oct. 2, 1928a 1,686,423

J. M. rHoMsoN EXERCI SING DEVICE Fi1ed May 14. 1927 Patented Oct. 2,1928.

'-UfNirE-e 1 :s rares TURN THOMSON, OFiBIl-ONX7 NEW YORK."

EXERCISING DEVICE Application mea may 14, 1927. serial no. 191,396..

This invention 'relates to -improvements in -exercising devices .and:has particular reference-to an abdominalexerciser. y

The primary object of the invention is the `provision of a device uponwhich a `person may sit and derive the benelits of well-knownabdominalexercises such as theback and forward bending exercise-whichstrengthens the abdominal muscles, and which device per- -mits of afree'body-movement wl1en:performing the same. l

Anothery object of-.the invention is `tofprovide a tractive -seat uponlwhichthe exerciser `may sit, and which-is constructed of die-castaluminum '..or [other 'light material. lthe saine beingfold'ed'in'toarelatively. small structure to `facilitate thevpacking and carryingofthe same when not in use. l

A further object of the invention resides in anabdom'inal exerciser inthe form of a seat having roller or ball bearings on the underside andby which the sameA Imay smoothly and noiselessly ride over a ioorcovered by rugs or carpets.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an exercisingdevice of the kind mentioned which is simple of construction,inexpensive of manufacture, and strong and durable for the purposeintended.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in certainnovel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, theessential features of Lwhich are hereinafter fully described, areparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view ofmy.exercising device.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view therethrough on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device showing the `parts in aseparated position.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the intermediate section in a foldedcondition with the end sections nested therein.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeraldesignates my improved exercising device in its entirety and whichincludes a pair .of identical end sections A and B, and an intermediatesection C, all of which are constructed of diecast aluminum or othersimilar light weight `metaL-and co-acting'to provide a seatforaccommodating a person in a sittingposture.

The intermediate section vC comprises va pair of sections 11 and1.2,.the under surface of which-is provided with inverted U-shaped`channel strips'l about their outer sideedges.

Thesections 11 and 12 -are ,joinediby aconnecting Vpiece1 111 k:to.which the inner `ends of the channel strips 13 are pivotally connected'byrule joints 15. rlhe inner ends ofthe Stops of thesections -1-1 and12 -overlap fthe hinge Joints as at 15 as shown-in Figure l of thedrawing, so that the sections ;meet when in a set-up position asshownjinFigures 1 to 3 inclusive and the same overl'ieztheconnectingpiece 14C. Extending vfrom the outer ends of the channelstrips 13 arehook members 16 having curved noses 17 by `which they maybe detachably connected with they sections A andB in a-.manner now-to beexplained.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the sections A and B are identical inconstruction, therefore I shall describe but one in detail and this willsuffice forthe other. Each section is provided with a channel strip 18on its underside and I surrounds the outer edges of the sections.

The inner ends of the channel strip are adapted to receive the hookmembersl of the re spective sections 11 and 12and are provided with pins19 which are suspended between the sides of the channel strips as shownin Figure 5 of the drawing. lVhen the end sections A and B are connectedto the intermediate section C, the same are .first brought intoengagement at an angle with respect thereto to permit the hooks 16 toengage the respective pins 19, after which thefsectio'ns A and B areswung up on a plane flush with the intermediate section and whichswinging movement is permitted b v reason of the curved noses 17.

The channel strips of the several sections i are provided withAsoclets2O for rotatably4 receiving ball bearings 21 and which ball 'bearingsconstitute a traction means by which the device may ridesmoothly andnoiselessly over a carpet or rug in any direction. The ball bearings 21mounted on the foldable sections 11 and 12 aredisposed in staggered.relation when the section C is folded as shown in Figure l of thedrawing to permit the pivoted sections to lie parallel with respect toeach other and to fold in a flat and compact mannel'.

Although I have specifically stated that l the underside of the sectionsare provided With ball bearings,it Will be appreciated that rollers orthe like may be substituted therefor if desired.

The top face of the several co-acting sections are concaved to provide adished surface 22 in the top of the device for comforti,

ably receiving a person in a sitting posture.

In operation, a person sits upon the device and performs such exercisesasis customary Vto vperform in a sitting posture for the strengtheningof the abdominal musc'ies, such as for instance, a back and forwardbending exercise. During the movement of the body,

the inertia will cause the device to travel back vand forth therebyassuring a free body movement. If desired, the device may be used inconnection With a Well-known exercising apparatus, such as a rowingmachine and the like. Y

Vhen not in use, the end sections A and B may be disconnected from theintermediate section C, and the intermediate section folded to thepositon shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. The sections A and B may beplaced flat against the sections 11 and 12 of the intermediate sectionand the entire device packed in a travelling bag or Wrapped into arelatively small package.

" While I have described what I deem to be the most desirable embodimentof my invenof hingedly connected sections, a pair of sepl arablesections, means for detachablyiconnecting the respective separablesectionsto the respective hingedly connected sections, said meansincluding .hooks extending from one of the sections, pins provided onthe next adjacent section for engagement by the respective hooks, androller elements on the underside of the sections.

2. In an exercisingI device, a seat embodying end sections and anintermediate section, channels provided in the underside of 'said endsections, pins bridging said f channels, and hooks carried by saidintermediate section for reception in said channels for lockingengagement with the 'respective pins.

- In testimony whereof I havev affixed my signature.

JOHN MQTHoMsoN.'

